What's there to do in Southwold, Suffolk

Southwold is a chocolate box pretty traditional seaside town on the coast of Suffolk. Its appearance is as if it was set in aspic in 1953, giving visitors the feeling of stepping back into a gentler, more relaxing time.

A Sunday Times writer struggled to put their finger on Southwold’s indisputable charm before realising – you can’t buy a flip joint burger!

Effectively an island, the town is surrounded by Buss Creek to the north and west and the River Blyth to the south, with the North Sea to the east, which has helped Southwold retain its olde world charm. Mights Bridge is the only way in and out – easy to believe it was once a draw bridge!

The town has attractions that can be enjoyed year-round, not least the Victorian Pier with its quirky Under The Pier amusements, the Prom that overlooks a pristine sandy beach, a High Street of independent shops and eateries, and a working harbour where you can buy fresh seafood or indulge in fish and chips.

Landmarks include the multi-coloured beach huts by the pier and at Gun Hill, and, of course, the working lighthouse, all 101 feet of it, and the business that dominates Southwold, Adnams Brewery and Distillery. The latter two both offer tours – climb the 113 steps of the 1889 lighthouse for breath-taking views, and go behind the scenes to discover the magic of beer and whisky making.

Both can be booked at the Adnams Tours Centre, located in The Swan Courtyard, just off the Market Place.

To learn about the town’s history visit the Southwold Museum on Victoria Street.

Southwold has accommodation for all tastes and budgets, from the high-end Swan Hotel, tasteful pub rooms and self-catering houses to bed and breakfast and the camping and caravan site by the harbour. Try The Bay Hotel or look at one of the town’s lettings agencies.

Blackshore Harbour offers two routes to nearby Walberswick across the River Blyth, a footbridge by The Harbour Inn and a rowing boat ferry that’s an experience in itself.

Blackshore is still very much a working harbour, but it’s also a great place to buy fresh fish or find a place to eat.

Quaint Walberswick has two pubs with good dining, tea rooms, a picturesque village green with shops, sandy beach, a low planked bridge across the Dunwich River which is popular for crabbing, The Anchor pub and hotel, and boardwalks through the reeds that will take you on to Dunwich, Suffolk's Lost City.